Julian hoping to raise £2,000 by abseiling Emirates Spinnaker tower

A PORTSMOUTH man is hoping to raise £2,000 to fund projects that help his local community as he abseils the Emirates Spinnaker Tower on his 50th birthday.

On April 27, Major Julian Watchorn, who runs The Salvation Army’s Portsmouth Citadel, will be descending 100 metres down the iconic landmark.

“I’m actually quite excited to be doing this”, said Julian and added “I did a charity parachute jump back in 1993 in Darlington and raised £1,000 and now I’m doing this and hoping to raise £2,000 to support The Salvation Army’s work in Portsmouth, which is something I’m very passionate about. 

“I’ve been living in Portsmouth now for nearly three years and have been made to feel very welcome here and I feel part of the community.  The Salvation Army provides unconditional friendship, support and very practical help to people in crisis and need at the Portsmouth Citadel. Everyone is welcome at Portsmouth Citadel and I’m abseiling down the Spinnaker to support this very important work”.

The Portsmouth Citadel Salvation Army is located at 17 Lake Road in Portsmouth.

From there it provides a range of services for the local community including a foodbank, a nursery, a good neighbours project and the Employment Plus programme to support people to find work.

It also operates a café, a charity shop, a benefits advice service,  a furniture store, a parent and toddlers group and a friendship programme called CAMEO – ‘Come and meet each other’.

More information about the work of The Salvation Army’s Portsmouth Citadel 

Make a donation and support Julian’s fundraising efforts, visit